Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMargins for Basal Cell and Squamous Cell CarcinomasMargins for Melanoma LesionsBasal Cell CarcinomasSquamous Cell Carcinomas
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Margins for Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Margins for Melanoma Lesions
Basal Cell Carcinomas
Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Simple surgical excision (removal) is the most common method used to treat both primary and recurrentskin cancertumors. The procedure involves surgically removing the tumor and a certain amount of normal-appearing skin surrounding it.This surrounding region is called the “margin” or “surgical margin.”
Removing the margin maximizes the chance that all the cancerous cells will be removed. After the lesion is excised, it is sent to a pathologist who checks the margins of the excision to make sure they are clear.
Primary and recurrent tumors get treated with marginal excisions. For example, one study showed that for low-riskbasal cell carcinoma(BCC), margins are usually 3 to 4 mm, and high-risk margins are 5 to 10 millimeters based on the European Dermatology Forum with medical associations showing the same approximate margins. The study also showed low-risksquamous cell carcinoma(SCC), margins are usually 4 to 6 mm based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Excision may be performed in the outpatient or inpatient setting depending on the extent of cancer, though some more aggressive forms of tumors, recurrent tumors, or tumors on or adjacent to functionally significant structures, such as eyelids, lips, etc., may require a more involved procedure called Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).
BCC and SCC are referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancers and are the most common forms of skin cancer, with BCC being more common than SCC; as many as 75% of nonmelanoma skin cancers are BCC.Despite being the most common skin cancers, nonmelanoma skin cancers only account for 0.2% of cancer deaths.
Formelanomalesions, the size of the margin is much larger and depends on thestageof the disease:
Basal cell carcinomas, or BCCs, are abnormal growths or lesions in the skin’s basal cells, which appear in the deepest layer of the outer layer of skin.BCCs commonly have a pink, pearly appearance often with a central ulcer (rodent ulcer).They may also appear as scars. BCC can be disfiguring, but rarely metastasizes beyond the tumor, though it can occur. Suspected BCCs should be examined and treated, and should not be ignored.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoBasal cell carcinoma on ear.DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Squamous Cell Carcinomas, or SCCs, are abnormal growths in the skin cells of the uppermost layers of the skin.SCCs commonly appear as open sores, scaly red patches, warts or growths that have a depression in the center. These may bleed or develop scabs, and they can be disfiguring. Though they are among the most common skin cancers and account for a relatively low percentage of deaths from cancer,they can metastasize and should not be ignored.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoSquamous cell carcinoma.Raimo Suhonen / DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
14 Sources
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